Dryer Sheets, Anyone?

[letsgoblues]

We use dryer sheets, usually Bounce Free sheets. Anyone else use sheets? What brands and scents do you like? We mainly use them for static control and light softening. Thinking about trying something new. I am not unhappy with Bounce, just curious about the other options.

 

[cuffs054]

I've gone back to liquid Downy for a while. Still use sheets in the Frigimore (which is stupid since it has a FS dispenser) and using the liquid in the MT HE TL that doesn't have a dispenser. Downy Ball to the rescue.

 

[appnut]

I don't use them.  Puts a waxy coating on the exhaust system of the dryer (as well as the tubing out to the exhaust vent outside the house), attracts dryer lint to said coating and can lead to dryer fires.   And if you have dryer with electronic sensor control drying, then it also coats the sensors located in the drum. 

 

[abcomatic]

I never us any kind of softening agent. I have soft water and that is all I really need. I hang out most of my clothes, towels included. I would guess that is why my 1980 Maytag electric dryer has never had a repair.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Took a break from 'em... Seems as though using 'em for every dryer load drains my money out--but they do come in handy during "static season", which is coming fairly-now...

 

 

 

-- Dave

 

[washman]

A&H

to match the A&H liquid detergent. I gave up on liquid fab softener long time ago.

 

[frigilux]

Haven't used a dryer sheet since the early 1990's. Too many stories of residue causing lint to build up within dryer and in vent hose; residue accumulates on lint screen and electronic sensor bars. Both the 2010 Frigidaire dryer and the new Maytag have 'Anti Static' options, which work very well.

A one-sheet sample of Bounce came with the new dryer. I'll give it to my sister, who uses that brand.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Dryer sheets

My current favorite is definitely the Downy Infusions Botanical Mist sheets. I do have a soft spot for the Bounce Outdoor Fresh though, it's a classic.
I do alternate between downy and dryer sheets with towels, and bed sheets always are dried with them instead of downy since I prefer a more crisp sheet set and less per hair.

 

[tomturbomatic]

These will coat a dryer lint screen to the point where even water won't pass through it, much less an adequate air flow. As Tonto said, "Heap bad medicine."

They have been known to cause rust of the non-porcelain parts of the dryer, too, and today there are precious few porcelain parts.

 

[askolover]

Never

I forbid it!

 

[esty]

Great value unscented dryer sheets from Wal-Mart. I like them better than bounce. They are bigger and you can cut them in half for smaller loads.

 

[lordkenmore]

Never use the sheets. I have heard too many stories about them harming dryers. And then there is the factor that I'm cheaper than cheap. Live with static cling=free. Dryer sheets=$$$$$. I'll take free, thank you very much.

 

[lordkenmore]

Oh, yes, another thing I don't like is the thought of what the sheets might leave behind on my clothes in the lines of chemicals, etc. Maybe it's just paranoid. But I have had skin issues, and I'm at the point where I want the clothes to be as clean as possible of such residue. Obviously, it would be hard, if not impossible, to rinse every last molecule of detergent out. (Especially that stuff that is designed so as to allow the detergent stench, er, perfume to last six years after washing. Although I mostly use unscented.) But products like softener or dryer sheets used during the rinse or after concern me.

 

[lordkenmore]

A one-sheet sample of Bounce came with the new dryer.

Wow. How generous! One whole dryer sheet!

I wonder what will happen as product downsizing continues. Will they supply 1/3 sheet sample with your next dryer?

I honestly wonder if it wouldn't be better for larger samples. 3 or 5 sheets would seem less stingy. Plus it would give a chance for the customer to try it 3-5 times, and possibly get hooked. One sheet might or might not hook someone. Plus there would probably be those who'd "save it for good" and never use it.

 

[ptcruiser51]

Stink!

Selling appliances at The Home Depot, I often was treated to (usually women) customers reeking of "softener overload". >insert gag reflex sound<

For years I have subscribed to "Hints From Heloise" advice to use 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the final rinse. It cuts whatever is left of the detergent, and softens "just enough" for dryer or line-drying. Plus it leaves my stuff smelling like clothes, not "April-fresh garden/meadow/field".

I use a Downy ball since my GE washer doesn't have a dispenser.

When I was living in apartments back in NJ, I found this invaluable when using the laundry room. Took care of nasty residue from Suavitel, Downy, or (worst of all), GAIN!

I'll never understand why people want to walk around smelling like the first floor of Bloomingdale's!

 

[arbilab]

A third of a sheet......

...... might be about right.

If you want laundry to smell, spritz it with cologne. It's a whale of a lot cheaper and doesn't glom your machinery and waterproof your towels. Yes I've used liquid and sheets and no longer use either.

 

[Marky_Mark]

The best thing about Bounce has to be their 1980s TV ads in the UK:

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When Consumer Reports tested liquid and sheets a few years ago, they found liquid was much more effective at softening and lessening static cling.  Unfortunately liquid also reduced absorbency of towels.  Sheets were better than nothing (and didn't really reduce absorbency) and dryer balls were basically useless.  I think Gain liquid was rated best for softness, absorbency and static.

 

[dustin92]

I don't like them, but my Mom uses them religiously. I prefer liquid softener because it generally works better and there are none or those pesky sheets to get into everything and everywhere. Have picked up many of them off the laundry room floor (and other places in the house, even have had them fall out of pants legs while in public!) I've almost always used softener in one form or another, and have NEVER seen buildup in the dryer from my own use, but recently got a Whirlpool gas dryer to repair and it was totally coated with residue. Ended up using nail polish remover and finger nails to scrape it off, plus the entire dryer was totally clogged with heavy lint buildup. Would have had to use the stuff by the bottle or sheets by the box to cause that!

 

[launderess]

stuff by the bottle or sheets by the box to cause that!

Yet that is just what some people do.

Have stood standing at laundromat and watched persons put two, three or more fabric softener sheets into *ONE* dryer.